Complete AQA GCSE Design and Technology Past Papers

We’ve refreshed and enhanced the content of our new GCSE, while retaining what you like about the outgoing specifications. The new qualification is modern and relevant, so students can learn about contemporary technologies, materials and processes, as well as established practices.

The new GCSE places greater emphasis on understanding and applying iterative design processes. Students will use their creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

Why choose AQA for GCSE Design and Technology

GCSE Design and Technology will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise.

Our GCSE allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. They will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.

You can find out about all our Design and Technology qualifications at aqa.org.uk/designandtechnology  

Support and resources to help you teach

We’ve worked with experienced teachers to provide you with a range of resources that will help you confidently plan, teach and prepare for exams.

Teaching resources

Visit aqa.org.uk/8552 to see all our teaching resources. They include:

  • teaching guidance including lesson plans, and suggested teaching strategies to provide you with practical guidance to help deliver this specification
  • non-exam assessment example materials and a dedicated subject adviser for every school or college to help you understand our expectations for this part of the assessment
  • sample schemes of work to help you plan your course with confidence
  • textbooks tailored to our specification and approved by AQA
  • training courses to help you deliver AQA Design and Technology qualifications
  • subject expertise courses for all teachers, from newly qualified teachers who are just getting started to experienced teachers looking for fresh inspiration.

Preparing for exams

Visit aqa.org.uk/8552 for everything you need to prepare for our exams, including:

  • past papers, mark schemes and examiners’ reports
  • specimen papers and mark schemes for new courses
  • Exampro: a searchable bank of past AQA exam questions
  • example student answers with examiner commentaries.

Analyse your students’ results with Enhanced Results Analysis (ERA)

Find out which questions were the most challenging, how the results compare to previous years and where your students need to improve. ERA, our free online results analysis tool, will help you see where to focus your teaching. Register at aqa.org.uk/era  

For information about results, including maintaining standards over time, grade boundaries and our post-results services, visit aqa.org.uk/results  

Keep your skills up-to-date with professional development

Wherever you are in your career, there’s always something new to learn. As well as subject specific training, we offer a range of courses to help boost your skills.

  • Improve your teaching skills in areas including differentiation, teaching literacy and meeting Ofsted requirements.
  • Prepare for a new role with our leadership and management courses.

You can attend a course at venues around the country, in your school or online – whatever suits your needs and availability. Find out more at coursesandevents.aqa.org.uk  

Directory


AQA-85521-SMS

AQA-85521-SQP

AQA-85522-NEA